An Act to amend the National Defence Act (maiming or injuring self or another)
Bill C-206 in 44-1 was a Conservative Private Member's Bill amending the National Defence Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. N-5) to clarify the offences of self-maiming or self-injuring while serving in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Section 98 of the NDA criminalizes a CAF member who voluntarily maims or injures themselves to render themselves unfit for service. Brought as part of broader concerns about the federal Code of Service Discipline framework following the May 2022 Independent External Comprehensive Review by Justice Louise Arbour into sexual misconduct in the CAF. The bill would have added mental-health exemptions to section 98 to align with modern federal-criminal-law standards (mental disorder under section 16 of the Criminal Code). Did not pass second reading.
Status
Quick learn
Would add a mental-health exemption to the National Defence Act offence of self-injury to avoid service (section 98), aligning it with the Criminal Code's mental-disorder defence. Brought after Justice Louise Arbour's 2022 review of the military. A Conservative private member's bill; it did not pass second reading.
Issues this bill touches
- Veterans & Military Families
Removes the National Defence Act offence of self-harm to avoid duty (19th-century conscription-era provision).
Legislative history
- First reading
First reading in the House of Commons.
View source
Official source
Read full text on Parliament of Canada